Universal protective headgear

ABSTRACT

A universal protective headgear device wraps around a user&#39;s head to cover and protect crucial areas around the entire circumference of the cranium while conforming to each user&#39;s particular anatomy, including head shape and size. Pads formed of impact absorbing polymers having full elastic memory are fitted within the headgear, between inner and outer layers of moisture absorbing material, such as neoprene or knitted fabric. Hook and loop fasteners on the opposite end portions allow for adjusted fitting to the user&#39;s head. The polymeric pads are structured and disposed to absorb and dissipate significant impact forces, thereby providing increased protection to areas around a user&#39;s entire head that are at the highest level of risk of head and brain injuries. The polymeric pads include an equally spaced arrangement of ventilation holes formed therethrough to allow perspiration to be transferred from the inner layer to the outer layer for dissipation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This patent application is a Continuation-In-Part of co-pending patentapplication Ser. No. 14/677,540 filed on Apr. 2, 2015.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to protective headgear and, moreparticularly, to a universal protective headgear for sports,recreational activities and other activities for both children andadults that extends around the circumference of the head and absorbs anddissipates significant impact forces to the head and brain.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Head and brain injuries from forces of impact are an unfortunate butcommon occurrence in a wide variety of sports, as well as in the dailyroutines of children, adults, the elderly and challenged individuals.While head injuries cannot be entirely eliminated, the number andseverity of injuries can be significantly reduced with the use ofprotective headgear.

Numerous innovations for head protective devices have been provided inthe prior art, including those devices disclosed in my prior U.S. Pat.Nos. 7,234,174; 6,978,487; 6,675,395; and 6,272,692. Many of theprotective headgear devices in the prior art resemble helmets thatextend over the top of the head and, while suitable for the purpose ofproviding some protection, there are shortcomings of the prior artdevices which the present invention overcomes. For instance, many priorart headgear devices use padding materials that do not provide completeelastic memory. Thus, their ability to consistently absorb impact anddissipate significant impact forces is diminished. The various headprotective devices in the prior art are designed to cover areas of thehead that have a low level of risk for injury due to impact forces,resulting in cumbersome, oversized headgear devices that are hot,unsightly and difficult to wash. Moreover, headgear that resembles ahelmet presents a negative stigma and many individuals, includingathletes, are reluctant to such cumbersome and less attractive devices.In certain sports, athletes are concerned about presenting andmaintaining a tough or macho image. While they will wear protectiveheadgear that looks and acts like a sweatband, many of these “macho”athletes refuse to wear helmets or other protective headgear that is notstylish or that is not considered “cool.”

The present invention seeks to overcome the problems, limitations andnegative stigma of the prior art headgear devices. The present inventionprovides the first universal protective headgear that can be applied toa wide variety of sports, recreational activities, cheerleading, theelderly prone to falling, veterans that have traumatic brain injuries(TBI), children on playgrounds, children learning to walk, andchallenged children. Specifically, the present invention provides astylish, highly functional and extremely effective universal protectiveheadgear device that is lightweight, ventilated and adjustable and whichincludes full memory polymeric absorbing material offering increasedprotection at crucial impact zones around the entire circumference ofthe user's cranium, including at the forehead, temporal regions and theback of the head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a universal headgear device forprotecting those areas of the head that are at the highest level of riskof injury from forces of impact.

The invention has been developed and tested to be in full compliancewith ASTM standards, FIFA (Federation Internationale de FootballAssociation), the National Federation of High School Associations andthe European CE II requirements, designating the product as protectiveheadgear after independent testing.

The universal protective headgear includes an elongate headband formedof neoprene or other elastomeric polymeric materials that have similarproperties to neoprene. Alternatively, the headband may be formed of aknitted fabric, such as the fabric commonly used for manufacturingsweatbands. The elongate headband has opposite end portions and acentral portion. The headband is sized, structured and configured towrap around a user's head to cover and protect crucial areas around theentire circumference of the cranium. Pads formed of impact absorbingpolymers having full elastic memory are secured between inner and outerlayers of the headband at the central and opposite end portions. Thehardness of the polymeric pads is selected depending upon the amount ofabsorption and dissipation required for a specific activity. Hook andloop releasable fasteners on the opposite end portions allow foradjusted fitting of the headband to the user's head. The polymeric padsare specifically positioned to allow the headband to easily wrap aroundand conform to the user's head and are structured and disposed to absorband dissipate significant impact forces, thereby providing increasedprotection to areas around the user's entire head that are at thehighest level of risk of injury from forces of impact, including at theforehead and at the back of the head.

The universal protective headgear of the present invention is useful ina wide variety of sports, recreational activities and other activitiesand environments for both children and adults including, but not limitedto, the following:

-   -   Soccer    -   Basketball    -   Under an Ice Hockey Goalie's face mask    -   Women's Lacrosse    -   Women's Field Hockey    -   Volleyball    -   Cheerleading    -   Flag Football    -   Floor Hockey    -   Ice Skating    -   Under the helmet of Jockeys and Equestrian Riders    -   Hiking    -   Children and Dwarfs Learning to Walk    -   Children on Playgrounds    -   Autistic Children that are prone to hit their head against the        wall    -   Challenged Children    -   Veterans that have traumatic brain injuries (TBI)    -   Elderly that are prone to falls    -   Elderly in Nursing Homes

Precise positioning and placement of protective headgear is critical inreducing significant impact forces to the head that could cause head andbrain injuries. Providing protection at the areas of the head that areat the highest level of risk for injury is particularly important withregard to children playing sports whose brains are still developing. Forinstance, children running around a playing field while participating ina contact sport can hit their heads together, get kicked in the head,have their heads hit to the ground or come into contact with a goalpost. They may also be inadvertently hit in the head with an object,such as ball in field hockey or a puck in floor hockey. In addition,heading the ball in soccer exposes the player to sub-concussive andconcussive impacts. All of these impact forces to the head and brain aresignificantly reduced with the use of the universal protective headgearof the present invention. The risk of head and brain injuries from suchimpact forces necessitates use of the universal headgear which providesa lightweight and non-burdensome means to absorb and dissipate asubstantial portion of the significant impact forces associated withcollisions and other impacts to the head and brain areas.

In the past twenty years, cheerleading, which includes “competitivecheer”, has evolved into a highly physical sport of tumbling, flyingthrough the air and building tall human pyramids. Cheerleaders performthese dangerous acrobatics without the use of any body armor orprotective headgear. Not surprisingly, thousands of cheerleaders areinjured each year from falls and collisions while performing variousacrobatic maneuvers. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commissionrecently reported that there were almost 37,000 emergency room visitsfor cheerleading injuries among girls aged 6-22 in just the course ofone year. Cheerleading poses by far the greatest risk of catastrophicinjury to young female participants of any sport. The American Academyof Pediatrics reported that, between the years 1982 and 2009,cheerleading accounted for 65% of all direct catastrophic injuries togirl athletes at the high school level and 70% at the college level.Many of these catastrophic injuries involve closed-head injuries andskull fractures. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to provideprotective headgear for cheerleaders that significantly lowers the riskof the severity of significant impact forces to the head and brainareas, while also being lightweight, stylish and matching the color anddesign of cheerleader uniforms.

As noted above, children are particularly susceptible to head injuries.In particular, children learning to walk and children on playgrounds areextremely vulnerable to banging their head on the ground or into otherobjects. Challenged children and autistic children are also at risk forhead injuries and may intentionally hit their head against a wall orother object. In some instances, these impacts to children's heads canbe severe and have long lasting effects, possibly resulting in permanentbrain damage or death. Dwarfs learning to walk are also at significantrisk to head injuries. Because dwarfs' heads are large and throw therest of the child's body off balance, they find it difficult to learn towalk. Until the development of the present invention, dwarfs have had noother option but to wear helmet while learning to walk. Accordingly,there is an urgent need for a universal protective headgear product thatcan be worn by all children, doing all types of activities, in order toprovide protection that lowers the risk of the severity of significantimpact forces to the head and brain areas.

Veterans in hospitals and elderly persons in nursing homes are alsovulnerable to hitting their head against walls, doors, the floor andother objects. This may be the result of a loss of balance, neurologicaldisorders or other conditions or events (e.g., tripping on curbs orother objects) that result in impacts to the head. Accordingly, thereremains an urgent and definite need to protect veterans in hospitals,and elderly persons in nursing homes from head injuries by providing auniversal headgear product that lowers the risk of the severity ofsignificant impact forces to the head and brain areas.

The universal protective headgear of the present invention serves toprovide protection that lowers the risk of the severity of the impactforce to the head and brain, while also functioning as a sweatband thatabsorbs perspiration. The complete structure of the headgear hasconsistent memory throughout its length, while also being structured anddisposed to provide an appropriate level of ventilation and breathing,thereby reducing heat between the headband and the user's head. Theuniversal headgear of the present invention may be manufactured in avariety of sizes, widths, thicknesses, and degrees of curvature to suitthe needs of the particular user, as well as to conform to thecircumference and contour of the anatomy of a particular user's head.

Objects and Advantages of the Invention

Considering the forgoing, it is a primary object of the presentinvention to provide a universal protective headgear product that issized, structured and configured to cover areas of the head that are atthe highest level of risk of injury from exposure to impact forces andthat has universal application for a wide variety of sports,recreational activities, cheerleading, nursing homes, playgrounds,veterans in hospitals and challenged children, and wherein the headgearis structured and disposed to absorb and dissipate significant impactforces to the head.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a universalprotective headgear product that adjustably fits around and conforms tothe entire circumference of the user's head and which includes one ormore compressible inserts (pads) having full elastic memory.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a protectivestylish headband that resembles a typical sweatband, while alsoproviding significant protection to areas of the head that are at thehighest level of risk of head and brain injuries, thereby appealing toeven the most “macho” athletes.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide auniversal protective headgear product that is stylish, lightweight,adjustable to fit all head sizes, and that maintains its integrity whilein place around the circumference of the user's head.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide auniversal protective headgear device in the form of a headband thatabsorbs perspiration and which is formed of breathable materials,thereby maintaining the user's head cool and comfortable, while alsosignificantly reducing the severity of impact forces to the brain.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide aprotective headgear device that is easily washed in a sink with tapwater and hand soap.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide auniversal headgear device in the form of an elongate headband that canbe manufactured in a variety of colors and designs in order to match thedécor of uniforms and/or equipment worn by the user.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide aprotective headband that provides for an area for placement of teamand/or brand names and logos.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are morereadily apparent with reference to the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention,reference should be made to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the universal protective headgearworn on a male adult's head;

FIGS. 2A-2D show examples of use of the universal headgear byparticipants in various contact sports, such as cheerleading, soccer,flag football and women's lacrosse;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the universal protective headgear of thepresent invention, showing the inner facing side of the headband withthree separate pads of polymeric material secured under a liner on theinner facing side of the headband;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane of the lineindicated by the arrows 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the universal protective headgear of thepresent invention showing the outer facing side of the headband whenstretched out and laid flat;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the headband shown in FIG. 3illustrating the three separate polymeric pads protruding on the innerfacing side and hook and loop fasteners at opposite ends of theheadband;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the universal protective headgear of thepresent invention showing an alternative configuration and placement ofthe impact absorbing polymeric pads;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the universal protective headgear of thepresent invention, showing yet a further embodiment of the inventionusing a single impact absorbing polymeric pad extending along the entirelength of the protection area of the headband; and

FIG. 9 is an isolated view, in partial cutaway, showing a preferredembodiment of the impact absorbing polymeric pad used in the presentinvention and illustrating an arrangement of ventilation holes formedthrough the entire thickness of the polymeric pad, and wherein theventilation holes are generally equal in diameter and equally spacedfrom one another consistently throughout the entire polymeric pad.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the several views of the drawings, and initially FIGS. 1and 2A-2D, the universal protective headgear 10 of the present inventionis shown on several users' heads participating in various sports. Theuniversal protective headgear 10 is defined primarily by an elongateheadband 12 that resembles and functions as a sweatband. When properlyworn, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D, the headband 12 extends around theentire circumference of the user's head and substantially covers theforehead, left and right temporal regions and the back of the head,covering those areas where there is the highest level of risk to headand brain injuries from forces of impact. The universal headgear 10 isstructured to be fully compressible and provides full elastic memory.The headgear includes one or more pads formed of impact absorbingpolymers. When the headgear is properly worn, the impact absorbingpolymeric pads are positioned in covering, protective relation to thosehigh risk areas, around the entire circumference of the user's head. Thehardness of the polymeric pads 30 can be varied depending upon theamount of absorption and dissipation required for a particular sport oractivity in full compliance with existing ASTM standards, FIFA, theNational Federation of High School Associations and the European CE IIstandard designating the product as “protective headgear” afterindependent testing. In a preferred embodiment, the polymeric pads 30have a Shore A hardness in the range of between 20-65, as measured by aTECLOCK durometer, model JS S 6050. For example, when the headgear isintended for an infant, the Shore A hardness of the polymeric inserts 30may range between 20-35. This is considering the fact that if an infantshould fall, the distance to the ground is significantly less than thedistance experienced by an adult when falling to the ground. Therefor,the hardness of the polymeric inserts 30 would be different for infantsas compared to children and adults. When the headgear is used forchildren ages 6-10 playing soccer, for example, the Shore A hardness ofthe polymeric inserts 30 would range between 30-40. For teenagersinvolved in sports such as soccer, flag football and basketball, forexample, the Shore A hardness of the polymeric inserts 30 would rangebetween 30-45. For adults playing soccer or basketball, for example, theShore A hardness of the polymeric inserts 30 would range between 40-65.

Referring to FIGS. 3-8, several embodiments of the universal protectiveheadgear 10 are shown. In each of these embodiments, the headband 12includes a central zone 14, a first distal end zone 16 and a seconddistal end zone on the opposite side of the central zone 14. Each of thefirst and second distal end zones 16, 18 extend from the central zone tothe respective opposite distal ends of the headband 12.

As seen in FIG. 9, the one or more polymeric inserts/pads 30 include anarrangement of ventilation holes 52 that are spaced equally throughoutthe inserts, with the ventilation holes 52 extending through an entirethickness of the inserts 30. The diameter of the holes may range between1/32 of an inch diameter to ⅛ inch in diameter. In a preferredembodiment, the ventilation holes have a diameter of 1/16 of an inch.The ventilation holes are equally spaced apart and, in a preferredembodiment, the holes are spaced between ¼ of an inch apart to ⅜ of aninch apart, consistent throughout. For infants and children that do notsweat as much, the holes can be spaced ⅜ of an Inch Apart. For Teenagersand Adults, the Spacing of the Ventilation holes can be ¼ of an inchapart. In this instance, the ventilation holes 52 are closer togetherbecause teenagers and adults tend to sweat more and need moreventilation to allow transfer of perspiration from the inner layer ofthe headgear to the outer layer of the headgear as described in moredetail hereinafter. When the polymeric inserts 30 flex or bend, theventilation holes 52 remain the same size and do not expand or enlarge,thereby maintaining the integrity of the inserts 30 for absorbing anddissipating impact forces.

Referring to FIG. 4, the construction of the universal protectiveheadgear 10 is shown in cross section and includes an outer facingmaterial band 20 formed of an elastomeric polymeric material, such asneoprene or other elastomeric polymers that have similar properties, andan inner facing layer of material 22 formed of an elastomeric material,such as neoprene or similar elastomeric polymeric material. In oneembodiment, the inner facing layer of material 22 is lighter in weight(i.e., thinner) compared to the outer layer of material 20. The innerfacing layer of material 22 may include an arrangement of holes orapertures to enhance transfer of perspiration from the user's skin andthrough the holes of the inner layer, as well as the ventilation holesin the polymeric inserts 30 and to the outer layer for absorption anddissipation of perspiration. In another embodiment, the outer facinglayer 20 and the inner facing layer 22 are formed of a knitted fabric,such as sweatband material. For example, the knitted fabric may be aclose knit cotton fabric consisting of 85% cotton and 15% Spandex. Inall embodiments, the outer layer 20 and the inner layer 22 are formed ofa material that readily absorbs and dissipates moisture, such asperspiration. The one or more impact absorbing polymeric pads 30 arepositioned between the outer material layer 20 and the inner materiallayer 22. As noted above, the impact absorbing polymeric inserts 30include an arrangement of ventilation holes 52 therethrough to allowairflow through the inserts 30 in order to promote dissipation ofperspiration that has been absorbed into the exterior or outer layer ofmaterial 20 by wicking. More specifically, the ventilation holes 52through the polymeric inserts 30 allow perspiration to travel from theinner facing layer 22, through the holes in the inserts 30 and absorbedinto the outer layer of material 20 where the perspiration can bedissipated by wicking from airflow across the outer surface of theprotective headgear 10. In a preferred embodiment, the inner facinglayer of material 22 is tightly fitted about the one or more polymericpads 30 and against an inner side of the outer layer of material 20 soas to firmly and snugly hold the one or more polymeric pads in fixedposition on the headband 12. A stitched rib of material 26 extends aboutthe entire periphery of the headband 12 and joins the outer materiallayer 20 with the inner material layer 22. The stitched rib 26 may beformed of an elastomeric material, similar to the outer and innerlayers, and preferably of a thickness that is equal to or similar to theinner material layer 22. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 5-8, the rib 26 isstitched on both sides of the headband to secure the inner and outerlayers together. While thread stitching is shown, in accordance with apreferred embodiment, it is recognized that the periphery of the innerand outer layers may be joined together by other means, such as bygluing, heat sealing or other suitable means of attachment.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-6 and 7 provide for multiple impactabsorbing polymeric pads 30 that are positioned side by side along asubstantial length of the headband. Small spaces or gaps 32 between eachof the adjacently positioned polymeric pads 30 promote flexing of theheadband 12 so that the headband 12 can be wrapped around and conform tothe contour of the wearer's head, with the headgear 10 providingconsistent and full elastic memory throughout the entire length of theheadband 12 and around the entire circumference of the wearer's head.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 provides for a single impact absorbingpolymeric pad 30 that extends substantially along the length of theprotection area of the headband 12, providing complete and consistentelastic memory throughout the entire length of the headband 12.

In each of the embodiments shown throughout the several views of thedrawings, the opposite first and second distal end zones 16, 18 areprovided with releasable fasteners for adjustably securing the headbandaround the user's head so that the headband fits snug (i.e., withoutslipping), but not too tight. In a preferred embodiment, the releasablefasteners at the opposite first and second distal end zones are hook andloop fasteners. However, it is fully contemplated within the spirit andscope of the invention to provide other types of releasable andadjustable fasteners, such as, but not limited to, snaps or buttons.Alternatively, the ends of the headband may be permanently affixed toone another so that the headband is a continuous and endless loop thatis able to stretch and conform to the size and shape of the wearer'shead.

The hook and loop releasable fasteners shown throughout the severalviews of the drawings include a loop component 42 on the outer facingside of the first distal end zone 16 and a hook component 44 on an innerfacing side of the second distal end zone 18.

As seen in FIGS. 3, 5 and 7-8, the central zone 14 of the headband has acurved configuration relative to the opposite first and second distalend zones 16 and 18. This curved configuration allows the headband toproperly conform to the wearer's head, when wrapped around the foreheadand back of the head, to properly cover the areas of the head that areat the highest level of risk to injury from impact forces. It should benoted that the degree of curvature of the headband, as well as thelength of the headband and the width of the headband and the width ofthe polymeric pads 30 may be varied to conform with the circumferenceand anatomical shape of different wearer's heads. Moreover, thematerials and structure of the universal headgear 10 provide fullelastic memory throughout the entire length of the headband 12 andaround the entire circumference of the wearer's head.

The outer facing surface of the outer layer 20 may be provided with oneor more areas 21 for placement of team or brand names and/or logos.

While the present invention has been shown in accordance with severalpreferred and practical embodiments, it is recognized that departuresfrom the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit andscope of the present invention which is not to be limited except asdefined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective headgear device comprising: anelongate headband having an outer layer with an outer facing surface, aninner layer with an inner facing surface, opposite end portions, and acentral portion between the end portions, the headband being sized,structured and configured to wrap around the entire circumference of auser's head, including across the forehead, through the temporal regionsand across the back of the user's head to define an operative position,and the outer layer and the inner layer of the headband being formed ofa material that absorbs and dissipates moisture; and at least one impactabsorbing polymeric insert between the outer layer and the inner layerof the headband positioned to overly and protect areas around the entirecircumference of the user's head when the headband is worn in theoperative position, and the at least one impact absorbing polymericinsert being compressible and having elastic memory capable of resumingoriginal shape after compression and a hardness ranging between Shore A20 and 65, and the at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert beingstructured and disposed to absorb and dissipate external forces ofimpact to the outer facing surface when the headband is worn in theoperative position on the user's head; and the at least one impactabsorbing polymeric insert further including an arrangement of equallyspaced ventilation holes formed entirely through a thickness of the atleast one impact absorbing polymeric insert, and the ventilation holeshaving a diameter ranging between 1/32 of an inch and ⅛ of an inch. 2.The protective headgear device as recited in claim 1 further comprisingreleasable fasteners on the opposite end portions of said headband foradjustably fitting and securing the headband snug around the user's headin the operative position.
 3. The protective headgear device as recitedin claim 1 wherein the at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert isheld in fixed position between the outer and inner layers of material.4. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 3 wherein theouter layer of material is neoprene.
 5. The protective headgear deviceas recited in claim 4 wherein the inner layer of material is neoprene.6. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 5 wherein theheadband includes a plurality of said impact absorbing polymeric insertspositioned adjacent to one another along at least a portion of thelength of the headband.
 7. The protective headgear device as recited inclaim 6 wherein the opposite end portions and the central portion of theheadband include at least one of the plurality of impact absorbingpolymeric inserts.
 8. The protective headgear device as recited in claim2 wherein the releasable fasteners are hook and loop fasteners.
 9. Aprotective headgear device comprising: an elongate headband having anouter layer with an outer facing surface, an inner layer with an innerfacing surface, opposite end portions, and a central portion between theend portions, the headband being sized, structured and configured towrap around the entire circumference of a user's head, including acrossthe forehead, through the temporal regions and across the back of theuser's head to define an operative position, and the outer layer and theinner layer of the headband being formed of a material that absorbs anddissipates moisture; at least one impact absorbing polymeric insertbetween the outer layer and the inner layer of the headband positionedto overly and protect areas around the entire circumference of theuser's head when the headband is worn in the operative position, and theat least one impact absorbing polymeric insert being compressible andhaving elastic memory capable of resuming original shape aftercompression and a hardness ranging between Shore A 20 and 65, and the atleast one impact absorbing polymeric insert being structured anddisposed to absorb and dissipate external forces of impact to the outerfacing surface when the headband is worn in the operative position onthe user's head; the at least one impact absorbing polymeric insertfurther including an arrangement of equally spaced ventilation holesformed entirely through a thickness of the at least one impact absorbingpolymeric insert, and the ventilation holes having a diameter rangingbetween 1/32 of an inch and ⅛ of an inch; and releasable fasteners onthe opposite end portions of said headband for adjustably fitting andsecuring the headband snug around the user's head in the operativeposition.
 10. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 9wherein the at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert is held infixed position between the outer and inner layers of material.
 11. Theprotective headgear device as recited in claim 10 wherein the outerlayer of material is neoprene.
 12. The protective headgear device asrecited in claim 11 wherein the inner layer of material is neoprene. 13.The protective headgear device as recited in claim 12 wherein theheadband includes a plurality of said impact absorbing polymeric insertspositioned adjacent to one another along at least a portion of thelength of the headband.
 14. The protective headgear device as recited inclaim 13 wherein the opposite end portions and the central portion ofthe headband include at least one of the plurality of impact absorbingpolymeric inserts.
 15. The protective headgear device as recited inclaim 9 wherein the releasable fasteners are hook and loop fasteners.16. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 10 wherein theouter layer and the inner layer are a knitted fabric.